This is an American Black Walnut version of the C fifes I have been making sinc the mid 1980s. American Black Walnut is handsome, durable and dense. An expert player preferred the Black Walnut fife to the Sissoo fife (my favorite). He said the Black Walnut fife sounds 'sweeter.' C is a good key to accompany with piano, Celtic harp, guitar, and is easy to read notes in.
This show tune comes to mind. More photos will be posted if the rain ever stops.
This fife has the contoured carved mouthpiece to make it easier to play for beginners, and more expressive for players. The contour channels turbulence around the outside of the fife, creating a smoother airflow and faster note attack.
The fife is held sideways to the right, and blown across the mouthpiece. Simple fingering gets the diatonic scale (do --re --me --) in the key of C major (C on the piano). Cross fingering gets the notes in between. The fife comes with directions on how to play. I have posted some updated fingerings here.
I ship promptly. Please email me with any questions you may have.